Memory Lane

I was just sitting here watching the automated screen saver slide show on my home computer. It has all of the China trip photos on it. So needless to say I was just strolling down memory lane and dreaming of China tonight. Thought I would share some photos from our trips...

Here Ducky Ducky

We have a nearby park that the kids had a good time feeding the ducks at. Oh and of course the boys were more interested in feeding the fish...

Gone Too Soon

I just read on Rumor Queen about another little one who has died before her new family could get there to get her. Here is a link to the post I wrote about our little one who died in China before we could get to her. It is SO sad to read that yet another little one is gone way too soon. I have read through all six pages of others' comments offering condolences to the waiting mother. The very sad thing about this is that it is not an uncommon event for an orphan to DIE in an orphanage :(

Children are dying every single day in institutional care all over the world EVERY SINGLE DAY! If you care to do something to change that and want more information about how you can help, please drop me a comment or an email, and I will be happy to help you figure out a way to do that...to SAVE a life!!

ADOPTING A CHILD WON'T CHANGE THE WORLD, BUT FOR THAT CHILD, THE WORLD WILL CHANGE!

More of Us

Faith has officially lived with us longer than anywhere else in her little life. We brought Faith home 17 months ago, when she was 16 months old. So that means she has had more of us now than anyone else. It makes me smile just knowing that :)

She was such a "baby" when we met her, and now this morning she was very clear about telling me "NO, I don't want to!" when I asked her to brush her teeth. Faith is SO much like me it is scary. She is so full of attitude and knows just what she wants, and when she wants it ;) I have a feeling she is going to give me a run for my money as I try so desperately to parent her to her best abilities. But oh what a JOY she can be when she wants to be. She has a smile that lights up a room, cheeks that are to die for, and of course an infectious laughter that makes you crack up with her. I love this little girl so much and have really enjoyed watching her grow into toddlerhood. I can't wait to see what the rest of her life brings...

Looking for Some Blue

Lots of little boys just listed with AAC. Go here to check them out! There is a myth that only little girls are available to adopt from China. This is SO not true. China's waiting children now are mostly boys- not girls. Boys are great and definitely know how to keep this mommy on her toes. Always an adventure when you have boys in your house ;) Go check em out, dare ya!

Greatest Gift on Earth...

Being a MOM and being loved by a MOM!!

I am so very blessed to get to be a mommy to all 4 of my special treasures. It literally makes my heart sing :)

I also get the priviledge of being loved by my mom everyday and truly LOVE seeing her be the best Nana in the world!

Hope you all have a very Happy Mother's Day today. I plan to have a great one spending it with my loved ones, hope you get to do the same!

Happy Birth Mother's Day

Wanted to share an email I received from a friend who happens to be adopted and also has adopted a child herself...

Mother's Day is such a special day for mom's and their families. As a child, I don't recall thinking about my birth mother on Mother's Day, because my adoptive mom is my mom. However, I'm quite sure I would have been open discussing her on this holiday weekend.

This Saturday, May 8th, is Birth Mother's Day. For the last 5 years, Amy and I have done something to honor our first mothers. We have planted perennials several times. We enjoyed them through the summer and eagerly anticipated their return in the spring. We know exactly which ones they are. Last year, Amy wrote her birth mom a letter and we attached it to a lot of helium balloons and released them in a park with plenty of tree clearance. No matter what you may decide to do with your child, it is a great opportunity to honor the woman who gave birth to your child. When you honor your child's birth family you honor your child.

Here is some more information about Mother's Day and Birth Mother's Day....

Mother's Day, celebrated since the days of Ancient Greece, is observed on the second Sunday of May. And ever since 1990 when it was first celebrated in Seattle, Birth Mother's Day (or First Mother's Day) has been observed on the Saturday before Mother's Day.

Birthmother's Day ....Mary Jean Wolch-Marsh first conceived the idea as a result of her own adoption experience. She knew she was a mother, but didn't feel recognized as such, either by those around her or by her daughter's parents. Remembering the feelings she'd experienced at her daughter's birth - feelings of triumph and euphoria - she used them to help in her own healing.

May Birth Mother's Day bring acknowledgement and recognition to every birth mother who ever loved a child lost to adoption. May it honor and celebrate every mother who became childless after birthing a child, and was forgotten on Mother's Day. - Mary Jean Wolch-Marsh

So today I plan to talk to the girls about their first mother. I am not sure how I plan to honor their first mothers every year, but we will definitely do something special for them :)

Reasons to Smile

Here are some of the goodies my children have given me today:

Another Round

Unfortunately my company had yet another round of layoffs yesterday. Fortunately I was not one of them! Only a couple of us left now but praying hard that we keep things going until this crazy economy improves. I am SO thankful to have my job right now!!

Thought for the Day

• Just in time for Mother's Day...
  
  
  If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, but have not love, I am a housekeeper - not a homemaker.
  
  If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements, but have not love, my children learn cleanliness - not godliness.
  
  If I scream at my children for every infraction, and fault them for every mess they make, but have not love, my children become people-pleasers - not obedient children.
  
  Love leaves the dust in search of a child’s laugh. Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.
• Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk. Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.
  
  Love accepts the fact that I am the ever-present “mommy,” the taxi-driver to every childhood event, the counselor when my children fail or are hurt.
  
  Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, and runs with the child, then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.
  
  Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection. Now I glory in God’s perfection of my child. All the projections I had for my house and my children have faded away into insignificance, And what remain are the memories of my kids.
  
  Now there abides in my home scratches on most of the furniture, dishes with missing place settings, and bedroom walls full of stickers, posters and markings, But the greatest of all is the Love that permeates my relationships with my children.
  
  (Adapted from an anonymous source by Jim Fowler)

Third Times A Charm

My o my, my little Travis! We spent Friday afternoon getting Travis' THIRD set of stitches in his lifetime. He is something else I tell you ;) Apparently there was some "rock throwing" on the school playground according to the school nurse. Travis never really disputed that and he had guilty written all over his forehead when I arrived at the school. We went to the Urgent Care facility hoping to get away with a $45 copay, but noooooooooo, they sent us to the ER at Scottish Rite for the professionals to stitch him up for the $200 co-pay!! (Just money right?!?)

Anyway I spent a lovely afternoon with my baby boy, who never even flinched during the procedure. Oh and do notice the shirt he just happened to be wearing that day for the "stunt". Oh my does this boy keep me hopping or what!!

AO Meeting was Great

We all had a wonderful time hanging out with our adoption friends this weekend. It was great to SEE everyone in person for a change and not just on their blog ;) I think all the kids had a good time as well. We pulled out Papa's redneck train and of course it was a big hit! I just love seeing how adoption has changed everyone's lives including our circle of friends. If you missed this one, be sure to come out next time around. You know who you are, we missed you!!

Famous Adoption Folks

Click here to see some of People Magazine's featured folks who have adopted. They include 27 families, alot of them I didn't know about.

Also, found another interesting link for famous people born with a cleft lip and palate. Who knew?!

One thing I do know for sure though...all of MY kids are all destined for great things that God has planned for them!! I am enjoying every minute of watching them unfold before my eyes :)

Just Sayin'

"Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do.
God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know,
and holds us responsible to act." Prov 24:12

Join Us Saturday

If you are in the Atlanta area I hope you can make it out to our next Adoption Option gathering this Saturday at 5PM!

Spring Gathering, Adoption Option Meeting
> Saturday May 1, 2010
> 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
> Location: CJ and Donna's Home and Backyard
> City State Zip: Marietta, GA 30066
> Phone: 678-296-9975
>
> Notes:
> Please make plans to come out and simply celebrate Spring, and of course Adoption, with us on Saturday, May 1, at 5pm. It has been a while since we all have been together, so I am really looking forward to visiting with everyone. I will provide a ham for sandwiches, so please bring along a side to share with everyone. Oh and hopefully the weather will cooperate so that all the kids can enjoy the backyard. Hope to see you then! Be sure to invite any of your friends who are interested in adoption or have adopted as well. The more the merrier!!

Big Kid Camping

My boys ventured off on their very first overnight camping trip without mom or dad last weekend. They were lucky enough to get to go to Camp Kaleo with their church group. To say that they had a blast is really an understatement. I heard about all the wonderful events they did and I don't think there could be a more "perfect" camp for my boys. The pamphlet for the camp said buzz words like: tents, bonfires, compasses, flashlights, air rifles, marshmallows, canoeing, and even fire-building! Yes, I know, my boys heaven here on earth!! Their teacher was kind enough to share some pics with me today. Who knew they could have so much fun without their mommy ;)

Ugly

Yes, it was just an ugly weekend. The virus took Caleb down on Saturday, and then..........ME down on Sunday!! It is one wicked little virus. I am slowly recovering today here at work. Hoping this nasty bug stays away from CJ, and that it definitely doesn't plan to make a round 2 for my bunch!

Next One Down

Poor Travis is apparently the next victim :( Unfortunately he has been attacked at both ends at the same time. Now that makes for some very tricky maneuvers in the potty. I know...TMI!

Just know I am in for a LONG night I am afraid. Let's pray I don't get it next and that Caleb escapes as well.

Got the Yuckies

Looks like the latest stomach bug has found its way into our house. Faith was puking on Tuesday, and well today was Shelby's turn. Not fun for sure especially when Faith's yucky attacks us in the middle of the night. You know the all of the sheets, in her hair, on the pillows...kind of YUCK! So after we stripped everything off the bed and cleaned everything up at 1am, put her and Shelby back in the bed and then...

yes another round-ewwwwww!!

Shelby at least has spared us the middle of the night stuff, but woke up this morning with it. I can't ever remember her throwing up and she had no idea what was going on, so she just stood there in the living room floor?!? Life lesson learned for her this morning to get to a toilet or sink or trash can or something when this happens next time please.

Needless to say, not too much fun hanging out with the yuckies right now :(

Coming Around

I just "heard" that CCAI is finally coming around and matching kids from the shared list-YEAH!!! I am SO happy to hear this new information. Hopefully this will speed up their long list of waiting parents and more importantly...

BRING MORE KIDS HOME!!

Yeah for CCAI!! I was very hopeful that they would start improving their wait-times for PAPs, especially after a candid conversation I had with their Atlanta office recently. Looking forward to hearing more about their new process, but I am already excited for the babies coming home :)

Multi-Tasking

Someone Else's Problem

I just read this great post on another blog and it reminded me of the MANY comments I too received in the beginning. I agree with her post that it made us stronger and even more committed to our future children at the time. A close family member immediately threw out the "Why do you want someone else's problem?" questions right from the start. We had to learn to "defend" our decision to adopt then. But now this is about all I really need to "defend" our decisions!

Big Bowling Blast

We spent one of our Spring Break days in the bowling alley. ALL of us had a great time! No meltdowns, no fighting, no tears, just pure clean fun.

Faith was too cute thinking she was "all that" after each ball! She would high 5 you each time, SO proud of herself. The boys were more than willing to help their sisters get the ball all the way down the alley.

More great memories made :)

Little Red Riding Hood

Helping Another Little One

I have to say that I just love how all of us "adoption folks" work together and share information. We all kind of have our own little club where you just know that everyone is there to help you. I try to put myself out there to anyone who is adopting to help them with the many questions and unknowns as they venture through the complicated adoption world. I am so thankful for others who helped me during my adoptions. We all have different views and opinions and experiences, but the one thing we all seem to have in common is the fact that we LOVE adoptions!

Here is another beautiful baby girl that I have been fortunate enough to be a little part of her journey. I met her mommy through another adoption friend who passed my information on to her. Simply through a few emails and phone calls, this little one was able to find her new mommy and daddy-AMAZING! I so enjoy helping others wade through the process. I think I get just as excited as they do with each and every step. I feel so lucky and blessed that others let me share their journeys with them watching God bring families together ;)

Recent Adoption Gone Bad

Well I finally had my first comment yesterday directed at me concerning the recent Russian little boy that was "returned" via plane. I was just flat out asked, "Have you ever wanted to send one of yours back?" I was caught off guard considering this was at my WWatchers meeting in a room full of other people. My gut response was "Well I am sure I have wanted to send back all 4 of my kids, adopted or not, at one time or another. Haven't we all?" Then I just laughed it off.

I wasn't proud of my answer or how I handled it, but it was all that came to me at the time. My thoughts to others who have talked about the story in general have been...well that lady was obviously just a crazy lady and I usually add that unfortunately there are a LOT of crazy people in this world. Her actions prove that she has absolutely no common sense.


The really really sad part is how this one woman's actions can affect so many other children. I pray that Russia does not hault adoptions due to her actions.


So I just read this great post and wanted to share it with you all. I love everything about the post and the FACT that we all need to be real about our adoption experiences, hence my blog and all of my Straight Talk ;) So please put me down on your list of people who will be proud to be your "Moving Buddy" anytime!!

Real Adoption Straight Talk

This is a woman after my own heart! She tells it like it is and I really enjoyed reading her question and answers about adoption. You can go here to read. Yes it is long, but if you are about to adopt or even interested in adoption, you should definitely take the time to read her page. Loved it!

Oh and of course if you are adopting, you should most definitely have this one on your bloglines as well. Good stuff :)

Trip to Stone Mountain

I was fortunate enough to win 4 FREE tickets to Stone Mountain courtesy of ParentsConnect! So we struck out on Wednesday of Spring Break to enjoy the day. I even suckered my sister and nephew into going with us...we had a blast!!

Sheila and the kids enjoyed the famous Sky Hike for their very first time. Then we were off to the 4D movie, which by the way Faith hated. She was terrified and her "fight or flight" instinct is very much alive as she freaked out and desperately tried to get away. Poor thing, once I finally got a hold of her we quickly exited the theater. Anyhow, nothing that a visit to the candy store didn't cure ;)



We then rode the train, enjoyed the inside play yards, then as Sheila and Austin hiked up the mountain, the rest of rode up in the Sky Lift to the top! We ended the day with a peanut butter and jelly picnic on the lawn waiting for the grand finale...the laser show. Once I convinced Faith that the laser show was not a repeat of the 4D movie, she calmed down and decided she would stick it out with us on the blanket.


All in all, we had a FABULOUS day! No meltdowns, no temper tantrums, no bugs, no worries...just friends, fun, and family!! Life is good :)

Slacking Again

I know I have been a big blogger slacker these days. But as you can see we are a bit pooped out after our Spring Break last week. Hopefully I can post more about it this week...

Spring has Sprung

We have been having a wonderful time playing outside these days in the great weather. We spent all day yesterday hanging out with family and friends. We started off with church, then over to Mom's for lunch, then off to Granny's for the big Egg Hunt, then ended the day at Dad's with dinner. Whew!!

The kids had a blast all day long for sure. Faith thought she was in heaven with all the candy. Oh and yes, she did manage to prove to all the other kids that if you eat too much candy, you will throw up-ewwwwwww!! That pretty pink dress didn't look so great with the after effects of too many red jelly beans ;) Needless to say it was a terrific day for sure and we are all so grateful for our many many blessings!!

Oh and to top it off, my dad surprised us all yesterday by announcing that he and Sandy (after 15 years) finally made it official and got married last week. Congratulations to the happy couple!

The Reason for Living

Hope everyone has a Happy Easter remembering why we are celebrating! Tell someone today that He is the reason for the season :)

Ice Cream Buddies

Free ice cream, in your pajamas, with your friends...life doesn't get much better than this!

Expect the Unexpected

I am reminded today about all of the "unknowns" in the adoption world. Actually, I think I should change that to all of the unknowns in the "parenting" world. Once you become a parent you have no idea how and what your children will get you into.

Take for example, my friend Ellen. Ellen has adopted two special needs kiddos just like I have. Her newest daughter, Grace, is cleft affected like my Shelby. Grace just had her palate repaired about a week or 2 ago. Now I thought that I had it "rough" with Shelby's surgeries...uh NO, nothing compared to what Ellen has been through with Grace. Grace had some bleeding troubles from the start and now after being home from the hospital, she is now right back in there with more bleeding problems. Hop on over to her blog and give her some love as she surely needs it right now. I have followed a lot of others through their kiddos palate surgeries and have never seen these kinds of problems! I am in awe of Ellen with her strength and courage she is showing her daughter through this very tough time. I guess it just goes to show that we always have to expect the unexpected.

What Not to Say to an Adoptee

Go check out Melissa's post here about this subject. I had the priviledge of meeting her in person a few weeks ago. She has recently been reunited with both of her birth parents. She has a very interesting story to tell. I hope to learn more and more from other adult adoptees like Melissa. I am so very grateful to have the opportunity to learn from others how my daughters lives have been impacted by adoption. I hope that I have all the right answers to their questions, but more importantly, I hope I am brave enough to tell them that I DON'T have all the answers to their questions.